Kadazan & Dusun : Who exactly we are?

The largest indigenous ethnic group in Sabah is Kadazan-Dusun. I was wondering about our people's origin and i found out there are four theories about it.

           Firstly, Kadazan-Dusun originated from Mongoloid which is a race from East Asia and known as Mongol people. Secondly, we are most likely "Indo-Malayan". Next, we might have mixed blood from Chinese race and we might be from China. Lastly, the Kadazan-Dusun's originated from Gua Madai's cavemen. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/14521504/Sejarah-Asal-Usul-Masyarakat-Dusun)



Me myself not so sure where are we truly from but I believe long time ago we are the type of nomadic people who travels from place to place leaving our gene at various places. What I mean was, the Kadazan-Dusun's people might be one of the gene that they left here in Sabah. That's just my thoughts and I dont mean to confuse anybody.

Now, lets see the meaning of the term "Kadazan" and "Dusun". 


There are many answers about it from various sources and one of the sources that i found is from Richard F. Tunggolou, a former principal from SMK Majakir, Papar back in 1979.


In his article he stated that "Kadazan" is from the word "kakadazan" which is mean, town."Kakadazan" is a Tangaa' dialect. We must understand that Kadazan-Dusun have various types of dialect from different region in Sabah. 

Next, it is also from the word "kedaian". "Kedaian" means people of the town. The word "kedaian" is originated from the word "kedai". There are no proof that "Kadazan" is derived from the word "Kedaian".

This means they were called "Kadazan" because they are people from the town. Mr.Tunggolou in his article also stated that "Kadazan" means 'the people'.This means we are basically "the people". We are "the people's" ethnic.

Thirdly, Mr. Tunggolou also states that the "Kadazan" term was adopted from the word "Kedayan" whereby it is an ethnic group from Brunei and Labuan. However, there are no valid explanation and it was just an assumption which in linguistic way the word "Kedayan" sounds alike "Kadazan". 

(http://kdca.org.my/kadazandusun_meaning.shtml)

Here, i agreed that the "Kadazan" term means 'the people'.


How about "Dusun"? In Malay language, Dusun means "kebun". Do not jump into conclusion yet. It is not simple as that we are Dusun then it means we are the people from farm or garden. In fact, yes we are. But how did that happen?


Most west coast of Sabah once ago was ruled by Sultan of Brunei and he collects taxes from orang "Dusun". The term "Dusun" was created by Sultan of Brunei to name the Kadazan's for the purpose of administration and registration. This because "Kadazan" has many types of dialect(groups) such as Kadazan Tangaa, Kadazan Rungus, Kadazan Tatana. So, the Sultan simplify it by calling them "Orang Dusun".

Please be noted that in late 1950's the Kadazan Cultural Association (KCA) were established and demands the British to approve "Kadazan" as official race in Sabah. Basically, "Kadazan" means "People of the Land" to represent 32 sub-ethnic groups which the Sultan called "Orang Dusun".

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusun)

32 sub-ethnic groups of Kadazan

• Sungai
• Tatana
• Tangara
• Tindal

• Tobilung
• Tolinting
• Tombonuo
• Tuhawon
• Tutung
• Sandayoh

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